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Lines packed with early voters all over town Saturday

This has been a common scene around Palm Beach County in recent days -- long lines packed with eager early voters. (Photo: Rob Catanese/WPBF)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -

Snaking out of the library door, around the corner and to the back of the building, the line for early voting looked more like one for an amusement park roller coaster.

Average wait time for this ride: two hours, if you're lucky.

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"It's exciting to see so many people willing to stand in line," School Board candidate Christine Jax said. "I think we're still going to see long lines on Tuesday, but it's good to see people out today."

In Riviera Beach, some voters reported waiting for five hours before they got to cast a ballot. In West Palm Beach, people were holding umbrellas in the sunshine to keep cool.

"I feel this election is so important because so much is on the line," voter Geri Lyons said. "I don't care which side of the fence you're on, just be an American and come out and vote."

So far, almost 4 million Floridians have cast their ballot early. State Democrats have been trying to get Gov. Rick Scott to extend early voting into Sunday or Monday, but so far he has declined those requests.

When polls open on Tuesday for the more traditional vote, the lines won't be nearly as long. There are only 14 early voting sites in Palm Beach County, but on Election Day, hundreds of polling sites will be open.

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